Gary and Niki Giberson met in 1975 at the Olde Village at Smithville, NJ, where Gary was the resident decoy carver and Niki worked as the village spinner and weaver.

Since then their love of history and their desire to preserve many of America's traditional crafts and heritage has launched them into many endeavors.

 

In 1988, they started Swan Bay Folk Art Center in their home in historic Port Republic, NJ where Gary's family has lived since 1637.    
 

The property includes a classroom for basketry, a barn/studio which houses a workshop for quilting and doll making, a carving shop, a fine arts classroom, and a 1931 Model A Ford showroom. A 1931 gas station replica and Niki's 12 sheep, used for their wool, also share a portion of the property.